Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday hailed President Duterte for the measures he is implementing to enhance the government’s peace-building efforts by granting amnesty to and facilitating the reintegration of current and former rebels back to normal civilian life.
(OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Go confirmed that President Duterte approved a series of Presidential Proclamations to help nurture a climate that would be conducive to peace and to implement reconciliation and reintegration activities.
These proclamations shall take effect upon concurrence by a majority of all the members of Congress. These aim to offer amnesty to members of rebel groups.
To carry out the responsibility of administering the amnesty, an Executive Order (EO) creating the National Amnesty Commission was also signed by the President, as announced by Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
The Commission will be responsible for receiving and processing applications, as well as determining if the applicants are eligible for amnesty, subject to the approval of the President.
“Ayokong nagpapatayan ang mga Pilipino sa kapwa Pilipino. Kung may namamatay na sundalo, nauulila ang pamilya. ‘Pag may namatay sa kabilang panig, nauulila rin ang kanilang pamilya (I don’t approve of Filipinos killing one another. When a soldier dies, he leaves behind his family. When one on the other side dies, he or she leaves his or her family)," Go said.
“Sino ang kawawa? Pilipino pa rin. Walang katapusan ito ‘pag idadaan n’yo sa armed struggle. Magmalasakit po tayo sa mga inosenteng nadadamay (Who is the victim? It is still the Filipino. There is no end if you engage in an armed struggle. We should commiserate with the innocent victims)," he added.
Go emphasized that by providing reintegration programs, services and support, the government can further address the causes of the former rebels’ socio-economic insecurities and give them an opportunity to start anew.
“Naiintindihan po ng gobyerno ang hirap na pinagdadaanan ng mga kababayan nating may mga pinaglalaban. Kung kaya’t sinisikap natin na maramdaman nila na nandirito lang ang gobyernong nagmamalasakit sa kanila at ginagawa ang lahat para mabigyan ng mas komportableng buhay ang bawat Pilipino (The government understands the plight of our countrymen who are fighting for a cause. That is why government wants them to feel that it cares for them and is doing all it can to give them comfortable lives)," Go stressed.
“Patuloy po ang serbisyo at tulong natin sa mga nagbabalik loob na former rebels para makapagsimula sila muli at magkaroon ng mas maayos na buhay. Binibigyan rin natin sila ng oportunidad na maging bahagi ng kanilang komunidad at makatulong sa pag-asenso ng buong bansa (Government services continue to help the rebel returnees start orderly lives. We will give them opportunities to become part of the communities and help in the development of the country)," explained the senator from Davao.
In 2018, President Duterte issued EO 17 which directed the adoption of a national peace framework that provided a clear direction for the harmonized and synchronized delivery of services in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.
“Isinusulong ko na mas pagbutihin pa natin ang mga suporta para sa mga nais magbalik-loob. Dagdagan natin ang mga livelihood assistance na may kasamang skills training, pabahay, lupang sasakahin, libreng gamot, at suporta sa pag-aaral ng kanilang mga anak (I am pushing for an aggressive support for the returnees. We will increase livelihood assistance, including skills training, housing, a land for planting, free medicines and schooling for their children)," Go added.
He, however, stressed that new amnesty grants should not cover rebels involved in drugs, kidnapping, terrorism, rape, and other crimes committed for personal interests.
It should also exclude torture, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of human rights identified by the United Nations (UN), as well as violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949.
“Gusto ko ng kapayapaan, lalong-lalo na sa Mindanao. Suportado ko ito. Iisa ang aming layunin ni Pangulo Duterte, ang magkaroon ng long-lasting peace and development sa ating bansa (I want peace, particularly in Mindanao. I support this. I and President Duterte have the same objectives- a long-lasting peace and development in our country)," Go said.